Pictures Sent Jan 12

The one picture I've been able to take in the past two weeks...I guess its been pretty busy!

 1) It looks spookly like Provo

  2) Us in the Elevator

The Spirit and 1st Ward! (Sent Jan 5)

Dear Family,

   I know I emailed you 5 days ago, but I'll let you know that my preparation day will still be on Monday. We have been really busy with transfers. After getting everything settled Elder Linderman and I were able to teach a few lessons. Friday was very blessed, being able to meet with 5 different people. Here in Tirana 1st ward there are members that live in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ward as well. So, even though we have a specified area, we are driving around the whole city. The city is coming back to life after the 4 days of 'deadness' of the new year (kinda ironic). 

  One of the recent converts that we teach is named Asllan (yes like the lion, and yes, he talks and looks like a lion, in fact in our fist lesson I was kinda scared to talk to him because he had such an air about him). They were Skype taught while living in Norway. His knowledge of the Book of Mormon is so good. After teaching them I thought, "and he's only been baptized for how long?" It really is a miracle to see how much the Book of Mormon changes people's lives. 

  We had the awesome privilege of going over to president's home to three times. Once for arriving missionaries, once for leaving missionaries, and once for a meeting to review what we'll be doing for the whole year. Each time we talk together it just makes me so happy. He really loves each of his missionaries. I don't know how I got such a privilege to sit at the same table as a man that has such an understanding of the scriptures. 

  I learned something neat about the Holy Ghost this week. I tried to more fully understand the difference between the gift of the holy Ghost and the testimony that one receives before baptism by the Holy Ghost. I compared it to a dinner. If I go to a dinner at the Weidmanns I have a wonderful time. I eat the good food, I participate in the conversation, and they make me feel welcome. However at the end of the meal, I go home to my own bed and my own house. Now, at the same dinner, imagine that the Weidmann children are present. They eat the same food, participate in the same conversation, and experience everything that I as a guest experienced. However, at the end of the meal they stay at home. Not only do they stay, but during the meal they felt the true of love of parents for children. This is the difference between those without and with the Holy Ghost. When one receives the Holy Ghost, they still experience the same meetings, feelings, and read the same scriptures as they did when they were non-members. However, they become "no more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home". 

  Serving in 1st ward is a great blessing. Some of the members here have been members since the early nineties. This week I'm going to look around for anyone that remembers the Haymonds! I have a few options. 

  This week it looks like we'll be heading out to Macedonia, and picking up a new elder (actually one that was in the MTC with me) so it will be busy. Please pray for us. 

   I know that this is the work of the Lord. I am so grateful to be serving in a country like Albania. I am very excited for the things we have ahead. In one of our meetings President said, "You know, I've had a feeling lately about how we can use the spirit of Elijah in the missionary effort here? Elder Linderman just looked at me and said, "Well, you'll have to ask Elder BANGerter here about that!" It was a humbling sign that God knows who he calls. That connection was only one of many that we've made in the couple weeks here in Tirana! 

  Thank you all for your updates. Andrew keep it slow, I walked like an old man for about a month after my surgery. Give all my congrats to Jay, Quinn, and Jayni! Adam, Lindsey, it looks like you got your hands full, I know I can't call, but I'd like to make an appointment to hold Sydney and Sarah on January 5, 2016. Is that ok? That's what works with my schedule. Thank you for your example; I know that you are really living the dream! Thank you all for your loving examples. President sends you his love. Farewell from First!

 Love,

  Elder Bangerter

P.S. Elder Linderman was wondering if there was a way he could get a copy of Grandpa Bangerter's talk book. 

A New Year, A New Area! (And his Companions _Sent Jan 1)

Dear Family.

    Well, it happened, I got transferred. I loved serving in Vlore. On Monday night we had a Vitin e Ri party (new years) and a few of the 10yr old recent converts came up to me and hugged my legs and said, “don’t go!” I really didn’t expect to have such an effect on these people, but I am grateful that Heavenly Father was able to show his love to me through those kids. A few tears may have been shed. But, I am excited for my new assignment.

  On Sunday we had a massive rain storm. Determined to keep on meeting with our lessons, and realizing that no one was going to come to us, we hit the streets; or more accurately, we hit the rivers. At one point we were grateful for a kind soul that had placed cinder-blocks as a dry path across the road. When we got to one area of apartments, each building was like an island. Sadly, our cinder-block friend did not go before our face and we were stuck in a dilemma. Elder Fowles went first and tried to jump and eventually ran really, really fast through the water and got really, really wet! I then took one jump, landed, and, realizing it was hopeless, sloshed through the shin-deep water. When we finished our lesson inside, we felt bad as we left to puddles on their tile floor. I felt like the mail man who wouldn’t let rain or snow or sleet stop him from coming. And the package we deliver has an eternal-lifetime guarantee.

   We saw a lot of success in our transfer together. Many recent converts are now active, many people are closer to God. And even Tomi came back from Italy! The work will progress very well in Vlore as I leave. Vlore will especially increase in efficiency because they are bringing in another set of Elders! I guess they had to bring in 3 elders in when I left! Just kidding.

  Right now I’m serving in Tirana; the capital city of Albania!

  There are four wards in the city and I am serving in the 1^st ward. My new companion is Elder Linderman! This was a big surprise because he trained me! I guess we didn’t learn something the first time around. It actually is a really big blessing, and we were both super excited to hear about serving with each other again.

  Last night we had new years. And if you remember my last few letters, they don’t celebrate Christmas, but they do celebrate new years! We had to go into our apartments at sundown (4:00) to avoid all the fireworks. Elder Linderman and I passed the time by planning out our new transfer together—it is going to be one awesome transfer—and then watching endless amounts of the churches Bible videos.

  We were awoken at 11:30 by many fireworks which continuously grew larger until midnight. On our balcony we saw thousands upon thousands of fireworks lighting up the whole city! We were glad to be in our safe, warm apartment.

  When we went to the airport to pick up the new missionaries, we welcomed 6 new sisters and 1 new elder from Hungary. I was able to ride with him back into Tirana. All 7 of them are so ready to contribute to the mission. I loved seeing their Fire for the work that comes with them from the MTC.  

  I know that God puts us where he wants us to be. He directed the mind of an apostle to place me east of Italy, and then directed the mind of an inspired mission president to put me here in Tirana. President Weidmann always says, “This is what makes our church different. We do EVERYTHING by the Spirit. That is why we call the ASM an Always Spiritual Mission.

I love you all! I loved talking to all of you last week. I wish you all a happy new year. Think of how much you did since last January. Now think of all you can do till next January! Life is packed; more like a candy jar than a suitcase (if that makes sense). I hope that you enjoy each day of 2015, because each time you see those four numbers you can remember that two-thousand-and-fifteen years ago, a child was born. And that one-thousand-nine-hundred-and-eighty-two years ago, that same child was sacrificed for you and for me. I hope you remember that A.D. means “In the year of our lord”. Make 2015 a year of the Lord,

Love,

Elder Bangerter of Tirana!

PS-P day was today because it was new years, but it will continue to be on monday

FROM ELDER LINDERMAN

Well Everyone Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great new year and had lots of fun!! This week was a an amazing week! 

Well first things first it was transfer week and after five months with elder Davis he was transferred to a new area. It was awesome to serve with Elder Davis adn to learn from him. He is an awesome missionary and a really great friend. We got a long very well and well that is kind of important when you spend every minute of the day with that person for five months! It really was great and I am really going to miss him. He was transferred to Vlorë and will be training the new missionary from Hungary that just came in, so needless t say he is pretty excited about that. He loved Vlorë and training is AWESOME!! so that will be good for him! As for me... Any guesses?  I am staying in Tirana First ward, I will continue to serve as an assistant ans my new companion will be Elder Bangerter!! So for those of you who don't remember or who don't know I served with elder Bangerter as a trainer in Pristinë for three months at the beginning of last year! It wasn't exactly a surprise to me since I have know for about a month who my next companion would be but Elder Bangerter was very surprised! I am really excited to serve with him again. He was one of my favorite companions that I have had I and he is just really awesome, so this transfer will be pretty awesome! 

Anyways other than that the week was really good. we spent the end of last week preparing fro transfer and then on Tuesday and yesterday we had transfers. It was pretty stressful being in charge of everything and having a companion that didn't know a ton about what was supposed to be done but we made it through. It is defiantly a little stressful being the one in charge of a lot of these things and having a companion that hasn't learned it all yet but I'm sure that Elder Bangerter will get it all very soon and then things will start to be a lot smoother... or at least as smooth as they can get! 

Well by far the highlight of the week was the past three days. First was on Monday night I got to go to the last dinner with President Weidmann and the sisters that I came into the M.T.C. with. It was really weird to think that they were going home because they had been in the M.T.C. with me. It seems like not that long ago at all that we all just got here and then they left! Anyways we got to go to a really fancy restaurant and I ordered Octopus!!.... It wasn't good so I wouldn't try it. The next morning we had to wake up early and take the sisters to the airport. That morning almost all of the mission was at the mission home for transfers! That is always very chaotic and stressful! That afternoon we had the awesome opportunity to go to the airport with President Weidmann and to pick up the new missionaries. They seem like a really awesome group and actually speak the language really well but like all groups of greenies they seemed pretty wide eyed for the first two days! That night we got to get to know the trainees, got to work with them for a little bit, had dinner at the mission home and then got to have a short testimony meeting with all of them! It is really awesome to get to hear both the new missionaries testimonies and the missionaries going home testimonies to see how much people really grow on their mission. The next day we had the trainer/trainee training. We took the new missionaries up to the place were Albania was dedicated... It was FREEZING!! it was 0 degrees outside with wind.. so it really was freezing! It has been really cold here lately I think the coldest it has been on my mission so far! I am not enjoying it! Anyways then we went to the mission offices to have a training with the trainers and the trainees together. Then we got them some Byrek and Dhallë for a snack and we went to presidents office to put the companionship together for the trainers adn the trainees. (For those of you who don't know Byrek is the word for pie but that is not what it is at all. It is essentially a bunch of Phillo dough with something called gjizë or tomatoes or meat and sometimes other things in it. And dhallë is a milk product that is essentially sour milk that is super saturated with salt... so all the trainees really liked that! just kidding dhallë may be one of the worst drinks ever.) Anyways Meeting with president and talking about the transfer was an awesome experience It is always nice to work with President and to get "practice" seeking the Lords will. It always amazes me how truly inspired this church is. That because of the restoration of the priesthood, God, through his servants calls us to these offices. In the words of Presidenty Weidmann, "as long as we are seeking to do the Lord's will He will not let us fail." it is a continual testimony to me that this is the Lord's church guided by His prophet and run by His hand.

Then, that night because of New Years and the ridiculousness of the celebrations we had to be home by sunset. So we had a really great transfer planning session and then we watched the Bible videos, ate Cheerios, and drank hot chocolate to celebrate the new year. The fireworks at midnight were AWESOME! it is literally just everyone in the whole city buying the firework show fire works and they shoot them off their balcony. Its very chaotic... and I'm sure very dangerous as the fireworks blow up at eye lever sometimes but it is like nothing you have ever seen before! The entire city is lite up with fire works. 

So that was pretty much it for my week it was a really good week! Im rewally excited for this transfer. Anyways well after watching the Bible videos I got to read through some of the stories that we had watched and it really opened my eyes to some of the meanings, so I have an invitation for you all! Pick any Bible Video watch the video and then study the sctriptures that go along with it and see if you learn anything new! It really is awesome they are really well made by the church! And if you should tell me what you learned when you did it, so I look forward to hearing from you all! (Ill add the link to the videos to this email so you can go to them!)

Anyways I miss you all and love you all! Happy New Year! Have a great week! 

Me Dashuri, 

Elder Daniel Bruce Linderman

More Pictures Sent Dec 26

Krishtlindje! (Sent Dec 26)

Dear Family,

  I loved talking to you all. 

  Fun thought. We woke up early to open presents. We sat down, ready to open all my 'oreos' and I said, let's sing a Christmas song. You see, we've been waiting till Christmas to sing 'I heard the Bells on Christmas Day'. (We sing 2 hymns a day...we'll hit #100 pretty soon) After we sang the song we just looked at each other, knowing we had to say a prayer. I am grateful for that habit that I've developed, to pray every time I sing. I've also developed the habit that every time I wake up I say a prayer...naps included. What I realized is the reason I've developed these habits is not to say "Hey, I pray a lot!" but rather, it is God providing you with more times to think of him. This is what was called 'holy habits and righteous routines'. 

  Last night we met with an investigator that we've been meeting with for a long time...or more accurately, sparsely over long periods of time. Our lessons are usually the same. Read the Scriptures. Pray. Why don't you? Oh you don't have time. Well pray for time, read for time. Sometimes it feels like a big circle that they never get out of. But, I'm grateful for the spirit who thinks out of the box who whispered to me, "coffee". So I said, "Kreshnik (that's his name), if you want (your problem to be solved), you have to be obedient, not just by reading and praying, but by stopping drinking coffee." This is when it hit him. The Gospel is not a hobby it is a way of life. If in any moment it feels like someone is not progressing, the best thing to do is to really get them to sacrifice. Sacrifice Brings forth the Blessings of Heaven, says W.W.Phelps, one who rejected the prophet but later came back a much humbler man. In my case last night, I kinda had to say, "Hey! Here is something you CAN do right now!" I knew the spirit was in my commitment when he responded, "Can you pray for me?" So, I invite you all to pray for him, that he can overcome this simple vice, and develop the faith to keep the rest of the commandments.

   I am grateful for the opportunity to talk to you and to write to you. Often, it becomes easy to go through the days quickly, recognizing what God has done, but then forgetting because there really is a pressing need ahead. However, when I am able to sit down and truly tell you what I've learned, I AM strengthened. I learned just as much from you in the past 40 min as you did from me. Thank you for letting me bear my testimony. Now go and share yours. That which one selfishly keeps he loses, while that which one freely gives he gains (?) said president Monson. 

  Abby, Eliza, Jay, Emma, Alina, Anna, Page, Sydney, Sarah, Noah, ????? Wilde, and ????? Bangerter, I love you all. I'm glad I now have a more concrete picture to base you off of as I pray for you!

  

I love you! Gezuar Krishlindje! (Last night we just gave out cards upon cards that talked about He is The Gift, and every time I said, "Gezuar!" I became happier....as a result I may have said it too many times! And by the end of the night I was VERY happy, and cardless! Wish EVERYONE a merry Christmas! It'll make you smile too!) 

I could write more, but we are going over to the senior couples for a dinner! But not as good as your rolls mom!

Love Elder Bangerter of Vlore!

P.S. Is there a family calendar that I can get!?

P.P.S. 

  1. Kristi's Baptism this Morning! (about 60 people were in attendance! That's what happens when you have 7 baptisms...don't include the numbers please in the forwarded letters mom, thanks!)

  2. Albano (who we taught and baptized) directing the Christmas Party Program!

Pictures sent on Christmas

This is how we decorated our house for Christmas

Kristi at the Christmas Party!

Lights and Examples (Sent Dec 15)

Family!

   I am just so happy for all the good news. I really hope someone is taking care of the family song! With so many changes I don't know what to think! I know that our family is a living example of the blessings of the gospel. We truly are chosen. In my Albanian scriptures I have a picture of all of us (at the time) at Bear Lake. I often show people this and they are shocked, as am I! I still can't wait until we can go to Bear Lake someday again to have a family reunion...but this time lets go to the south beach!

  Christmas is coming! Here in Albania they celebrate new years more. The streets are lined with lights, trees, and santa clauses, reindeer....but all of them represent the new years fest! Ya, kinda backwards, but we are changing it. We have weekly devotionals about Christmas, and a 7 foot poster that says "Ai Eshte Dhurata" with a nice picture of the nativity scene. I hope that you all have shared the gift of Jesus Christ. We go door to door showing the 2 minute film to everyone. One time, the person didn't have a key to the door, so we just showed it through the peep-hole! You can always do more!

  Lindsey and Adam! I am so, so happy for you and Sydney and Sarah! (I knew those names a few weeks ago due to my missionary privileges) 

  Being a missionary is a wonderful opportunity, to talk to so many people about Christ. Day after day I realize that this calling of mine among these people is only for another year. Then I realized that I'll only be here in Vlore for two weeks. aka, it is crunch time. 

  Crunch time because we have a mission baptismal goal. We are so close to it, so every day we are working and working to reach it! In our district this week, we were blessed with 4 more people that accepted to be baptized in December. Christmas Day we have about 7 planned! It will be a great, great day! 

  Last Sunday we met a young adult named Donald. We've met with him every other day and he is so prepared. He is an central member at a local church, but after 6 years of membership he asked himself, "where is my relationship to Christ?" We've been so blessed to meet with him. Please pray that he will advance towards his baptismal date! 

  It may get dark a little early, but the Light of Christ is in our lives. 

  Last point, I don't have much time. We were able to go to a great Stake Priesthood Meeting in Durres (where the Haymonds served 20 years ago, now they have a beautiful church building) We learned from the Albanian Stake Presidency about being better Priesthood Holder. They are truly hastening the work here! The Stake President said, "The reason we sacrifice is to remember Christ's sacrifice." So ask yourself, what is the quality of your sacrifice? Remember, Cain made a sacrifice, but it wasn't with his heart, he didn't understand. I hope we understand WHY we sacrifice. I've found that this sacrifice of service is the antidote of sin. The reason we hold the priesthood is so that others ''can know to what source they may look to for a remission of their sins" (Alma 13). Are you the type of person through which others see the reflection of Christ? Just like the moon reflects the light of the sun for the earth to see, let us reflect the light of the true Son for our little pieces of the world that have been personally selected for us. I never saw Jesus Christ heal others, or saw him teach. But I did have parents that loved, I've seen Bishops lead. I've seen leaders receive revelation. I've seen sacrifice. IF you want to see Christ, look around you and recognize him. Take a break to go see Syd' and sar' at the Hospital and you'll know what I mean.

I love you and pray for you!

Elder Bangerter

P.S. Talk to you in 10 Days!

P.P.S. meaning, our P-day is on Christmas, so that is when I will talk to you. I will call at 8am Utah time. And we got 40 min!